New Orleans HBCUs Find Hope on the Road to Recovery

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Two years ago, the most devastating natural disaster in U.S. history ripped through the city of New Orleans, leaving mass chaos and unparalleled destruction in her wake.

Though for some, the recovery effort still seems bleak, signs of recuperation are becoming evident. Events such as the Essence Festival and Mardi Gras are once again drawing crowds to the city. Businesses small and large have reopened their doors to consumers. The city is operating at more than half of its pre-Katrina population as more residents return home. The once-dismal New Orleans landscape has been replaced with a scenic view of faith and hope for the future.

For New Orleans' three historically black colleges, the road to recovery has been blocked with potholes and pitfalls. Despite the challenges ahead, New Orleans' HBCUs, much like the city itself, have rich histories rooted in resilience, faith and endurance. With these qualities in mind, Dillard, SUNO and Xavier are poised to return to the world stage as leaders in higher education and independent thought. THE BLACK COLLEGIAN spoke with their presidents to gain their perspectives on the struggles and triumphs of rebuilding after Katrina.

Dr. Marvalene Hughes, President, Dillard University

TBC: You came to Dillard University during a time of great transition. [United Negro College Fund president] Dr. Michael Lomax had recently resigned from his post, and after years of growth and prosperity, many students, alumni and well-wishers were uncertain about the direction of the university. What was your vision for Dillard prior to assuming the presidency?

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Dr. Hughes: I was aware that Dillard had a long and outstanding history--almost 140 years, as a matter of fact--with some outstanding programs and that, through time, Dillard had become better and better with those programs. I was aware of the outstanding student body that Dillard had been able to attract, and the many opportunities they had in nursing, science, education, social sciences, business, and the humanities, and I considered it to be a place that I wanted to offer some additional leadership to raise the bar in those areas, and to determine whether or not it would be appropriate to begin to focus differently in order to keep trend with the times, and enable our students to receive some competitive advantages. Of course, that was all put on the backburner with Katrina and ... for the last two years, we have focused on recovery.

TBC: Many promises were made in the direct aftermath of Katrina regarding aid and assistance. How much of that aid has materialized and how much was what some might call "lip service"?

Dr. Hughes: It depends on what level you are addressing. I would say that the church community, for Dillard, has been very, very active, and I have been encouraged by the continuation of the support of the Methodist Church, as well as the Church of Christ. They, in fact, increased that support. I have also been encouraged by individual support. …

DR. FREDDYE L. HILL is the new vice president for campus life at Dillard University in New Orleans. She has more than 28 years of experience in higher education as a professor and administrator. She earned a bachelor's from Spelman College, and her master's and doctorate from Northwestern…

The notion simply didn't compute: New Orleans--the birthplace of jazz; producer of jazz greats from Sidney Bechet and Louis Armstrong to the Marsalis clan; perhaps the only city in America where jazz remains a living cradle-to-grave experience and form of expression--does not have a jazz orchestra.…

Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. recently held its 48th National Convention in Philadelphia and announced a major financial commitment to three Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) that were affected by Hurricane Katrina. Collectively, $700,000 will be awarded to Dillard University,…

National Football League star Donovan McNabb, quarterback of the Philadelphia Eagles, donated $50,000 each to Dillard University and Xavier University of Louisiana to help the New Orleans-based historically Black institutions recover from the damage caused by Hurricane Katrina.…

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